Hong Kong police warn of surge in illegal football betting in run-up to Euro 2024
- Force points to similar spike in lead-up to last World Cup, with growth of online platforms enabling punters to place bets more easily
The force said it expected an increase in view of its experience from 2022, when the Fifa World Cup was held in Qatar. That year, police arrested 6,781 people, with 607 cases involving serious gambling – the highest figures in half a decade at the time – suggesting that major international sporting events had become a carnival for gamblers and bookies.
“We [therefore] expect that there will be an increase in the number of illegal gambling cases due to the coming Euro tournament,” said acting superintendent Wong Yu-fai of the organised crime and triad bureau, referring to the competition that kicks off in Munich on June 14.
The use of smartphones and online platforms had also enabled easier betting, Wong added at a media event to draw public attention to problem gambling.
A former gambler identified only as “X”, who the force arranged to speak to media, said: “I became addicted to gambling since I was in my twenties. Apart from when I was sleeping, I spent all my time on it.”
X had started gambling as a young man, influenced by colleagues at that time. After getting a taste of winning, he gradually became more engrossed with gambling, especially betting on football, a sport he was familiar with.
